By Rahim Abdul
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera today joined religious leaders, political party representatives, civil society organizations and members of the diplomatic community at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe for the National Prayers for the Signing of the Peace Declaration ahead of the 2025 general elections.
The event, organized by the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), brought together key stakeholders with a shared goal of promoting peaceful, credible and transparent elections. It was held under the theme: “In Choosing a Path of Dialogue and Mediation, Violence is Not an Option.”
In his opening remarks, President Chakwera emphasized the need for unity and tolerance, urging all political leaders to prioritize the country’s interests over personal ambitions.
“Elections must never divide us as a nation. As leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure that political competition does not turn into conflict. Today, we are here to make a firm commitment to peace, knowing that the stability of Malawi is more important than any single victory,” said Chakwera.
PAC Chairperson Reverend Dr. Gilford Matonga said the prayers were a vital step in fostering national reconciliation and building trust among political players ahead of the elections.
“The peace declaration is not just a document,it is a moral commitment to put the welfare of Malawians first. We want to ensure that what we saw in past elections tensions, mistrust, and violence is not repeated,” he said.
During the ceremony, representatives from major political parties, including the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), United Democratic Front (UDF), and United Transformation Movement (UTM), pledged to uphold peace during campaigns and voting.
The event also featured prayers and messages of hope from leaders of various faith groups, including the Malawi Council of Churches, Episcopal Conference of Malawi and the Muslim Association of Malawi. The interfaith prayers sought divine guidance for the nation as it prepares for one of its most closely watched elections.
Representatives from international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and several foreign embassies were also in attendance, signaling global support for Malawi’s commitment to democratic stability.
The peace declaration initiative comes amid growing concerns about political tension and misinformation ahead of the 2025 polls. PAC hopes that by bringing leaders together now, Malawi can avoid violence and disputes that have marred elections in other countries within the region.
